Cultural Immersion

This past Friday, I attended a day-long Cultural Immersion program offered at UHCL. In the past they have explored countries such as Iraq, India, and The Netherlands. This year we explored Vietnam. I was hesitant to attend, not knowing what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised with the experience.

We met in the morning for fried spring rolls, dumplings, Vietnamese sandwiches and their sesame "cookies". Dr. Van Tran gave a brief, though sufficient history of the country from its beginnings as Viet (or people) Nam (area south of China), expansion south into Khmer Empire, French colonization, American war, Communism, to its recent economic development. Our Provost and Dean, School of Business, discussed our campus' outreach into the country to offer western business practices. In the Fall 2006 we had 555 international students, representing 7.2% of our total student body. Of those, Vietnam has the second highest number of students, behind India.

We also heard about a new Smithsonian exhibit highlighting 30 years of Vietnamese contributions to America following the fall of Saigon (32 years ago today.) Then we filled two chartered buses for the ride to the Vietnamese Buddhist Center in Sugar Land. I have never visited a Buddhist temple before and was duly impressed. We were so far behind schedule that we couldn't walk the grounds, but we did remove our shoes and sit in the temple, while the Master and four monks presented a Meditation for Peace and Happiness in honor of the Virginia Tech shootings.

I found myself I reflected on this while listening to the monks chant. I found myself comparing this temple with a Catholic church. They have a large Buddha; we have a crucifix. They accept monetary donations in a beautifully decorated red envelope, we pass a basket. They have ritual prayers, statuary, a monastery, burn incense, and preach love and kindness.

We were almost 90 minutes off schedule when we arrived for lunch at Thien Phu. Each table had at least one Vietnamese student to show us how to eat the food. We started with a "salad" of celery, basil, mint, peanuts, pork, and shrimp among other things. Then they started bringing out bowls of mint and cilantro, plates of rice paper over bowls of hot water, and four meat entrees. Ngo showed us how to wet the rice paper and fill it with mint, chopped peanuts, meat, and roll it up to dip in fish sauce. Having Ngo there definitely eased the intimidation factor of trying new dishes, and surprise - I liked most of it.

After lunch we walked into the parking lot to view the Vietnamese War Memorial honoring the American and South Vietnamese soldier. Another statue behind it honored the refugees. Then we were whisked away to Little Saigon Radio where a beautiful reception awaited us. They had a large variety of Vietnamese desserts, which were not very sweet. We heard from the CEO of Little Saigon Radio who spoke of opportunities in America. We also heard from Duy Loan Le, an amazing powerhouse: the first woman Senior Fellow for Texas Instruments. I am so impressed that they had her there to speak to us - more so that she was still there even though we were probably two hours late.

After our speakers, Little Saigon Radio brought out some entertainment. A UHCL student sang a traditional Southern song, and these little 10-year old girls played the đàn tranh, a zither style instrument. When they were finished, it was nearly 5 p.m. and we had to get back to campus. We were quite late.

Overall, I'm glad that I participated in this immersion. I do feel like I understand Vietnamese-Americans and perhaps our own Vietnamese students a little better. There are some strong cultural differences between our countries, and I feel we have as much to learn from them as they have learned from us. I will be less intimidated to go into that part of town, and eat at Vietnamese restaurants. It was a very worthwhile, thought-provoking experience that makes me realize how little I know about the world and other cultures. I can't wait to find out what country will be highlighted next year.

One great Sunday

Sunday after church, we took the girls to the Musuem of Fine Arts, Houston to see the exhibit "The Masterpieces of French Painting from The Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1800-1920". As I remember it, the Metropolitan Museum is undergoing some renovation and so they sent 135 pieces to go on display in Houston. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these paintings outside of New York. I've been asked WHY did we take the girls; I suppose most people would go themselves alone or with their spouse, but we wanted them to see these paintings. For the most part they were very good and surprisingly, each had their "favorite".

Brenna loved Degas' dancers, including this one "The Dancing Class" from 1871.

Cameron decided her favorite was the "Young Woman Drawing" by Marie-Denise Villers, 1802.

Bryan had a hard time deciding on one particular favorite; there were so many "-isms" of art on display, but I know he enjoyed this one by Maximilien Luce, titled "Morning, Interior" from 1890.

As for me? I love Monet, and was astounded by the color and light in Edourd Manet's Boating. But when I stood before Van Gogh's 1889 "Cypresses" - I knew I had found my favorite. This photo from the Metmuseum.org website doesn't truly represent the art. There are so many minute details and colors that cannot be picked up in a photograph.

After a few hours in the museum, everyone was ready for a picnic lunch at Hermann Park a few blocks away. We love Hermann Park, though we haven't been there as often since Bryan left his job at HMNS.

We created our own piece of photographic "art" - a collage of our faces.

And we had such a great time letting the girls run up and down the hill in front of Miller Outdoor Theater - I can bring it to you via YouTube.

Spring Flowers

April showers bring May flowers.... but here on the Texas Gulf Coast, it's March rains that bring April flowers. Today was THE PERFECT DAY for being outside, and I'm pleased to say that we spent the vast majority of daylight outdoors. We spent a good amount of time (and $) buying and planting the front yard flower bed. We do this every late March, early April as the weather improves. We water every other day, and usually can keep the flowers alive, if not blooming, into mid-July. Sometime then the 90+ heat wears on the plants and everything dies. Then each spring we shovel, turn over, and fertilize the bed and put in new plants.

If you love flowers, be sure to check out the link on the left to "Friday Flowers" where Sonny Carter posts his weekly image. And I'll leave you all with an image of the flowers Bryan sent me for our 11th anniversary yesterday.

11 Years Ago

Texas Senate testimony

Today I testified in the Texas Senate chambers before the State Affairs committee in support of SB1299, which would open excepted (but not confidential) records after 75 years. The request for me to testify came from a dear friend, whom I could not turn down, even though I was unsure what to say.

We left this morning about 5 a.m. and arrived in Austin about 7:40 a.m. When Sarah pulled up to drop us off at the North Entrance, I saw Senator Dan Patrick stepping out of his parked car. I've listened to Dan on his radio station for a few years now and was just tickled pink to see him in person. He had three bills on the agenda in the State Affairs committee that were heard before our bill. I was still working on what to say, so I didn't have the opportunity to go up to him and say hello.

The Senate Chamber is very impressive. I'm too tired tonight to describe it, so I'll just post a photo.

There was a committee conference table set up in the main aisle with the chairman at the head and 4 or 5 senators seated around. We waited in chairs on the side of the room, under the gallery overhang, until our turn. Senator Wentworth introduced the bill and we heard testimony from a representative of the Attorney General's office before it was our turn. The senators on the committee were very concerned about attorney-client privilege and confidential records such as trade secrets. Our first witness was Doug Allen, a records manager, who assured senators that state agencies have record retention schedules that dictate how long certain record series are maintained, and few records with attorney-client privilege would survive to the 75 year release. This particular bill doesn't address opening confidential records (maybe we'll have another bill in two years to try that! California did it!) Then it was my turn to speak about the importance to the historical record for public information to be released. (Their previous exceptions have closed off records that used to be open and had been used by researchers for years.) Lastly, Robert DeB. testified on behalf of genealogists.

If you want to see our testimony, the state of Texas broadcasts it over the web. You will need the Real Player download to see it. My testimony begins about 1:21:11 and continues for two minutes.

I was listening to Robert talk and realized that the glass covering the wood table was so clear and reflective that it was as though I was looking into the clearest green pool of water and could see the ceiling at the bottom.

This was quite intimitading and for the first time I felt really nervous. I haven't been that nervous when speaking before a large group in a long, long time. Perhaps it was the location, the power of it all. I'm so grateful to Paul and Sarah for inviting me. This was truly an inspiring experience.

Oh- and the bill passed out of committee!! It is going for a vote before the full Senate. It's possible that our show of support may have helped write a new law for Texas. All the way home I was singing, "I'm just a bill..." from Schoolhouse Rock.

Did I mention that the bluebonnets, indian paintbrushes, and other wildflowers are blooming everywhere? It was the most beautiful Texas spring day, perfect for driving on the back highways.

Disclaimer: I did not take any of these photographs on the page. The two of the Texas Capitol are from the Texas State Preservation Board website about the Capitol. The two wildflower photos are from other websites: jeffblaylock.com. To see more examples, just Google Images "Texas wildflowers".

36 hours with no children

What would you do if you had 36 hours home alone with your husband without the children?

We cleaned the house!!

Bryan washed the outside shutters with bleach. I put away all of Brenna's winter clothes and brought out the summer shorts. (Naturally, the high this morning was 52 and dropped all day, after yesterday's 83F). We dusted, did laundry, put away the clutter, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms (ick), cleaned the kitchen, and went to the grocery store. All of this is in preparation for the family to be here tomorrow for Easter Sunday lunch.

Meanwhile Cameron & Brenna are at Nana & Papa's house for two nights. This morning we actually slept until 9 a.m. I can't remember the last time we slept that late. Tonight we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Market Seafood, and we're watching a movie, in our sweats (because it's about 37 outside and we're not turning on the heater). Tomorrow we'll finish last minute details like making iced tea, a dessert and a veggie, setting out all the plates, and oh - hiding Easter eggs for the girls.

Awards & Accidents

Today at work I received my 5 year service award. It's hard to believe I've been here five years already. The university holds a very nice ceremony for service and Presidential Distinguished Awards followed by a catered (Aramark) lunch. I left the office at 10:19 a.m. to join the other librarians headed into the Atrium. At 10:20 a.m. Brenna's preschool called me. They also called my cell phone, which I had left in my purse, in my office. When I returned to the office, placque in hand, in a jovial mood from having a really good time, I found the two voice mails. "Mrs. Kelly, this is R... please call me." Same message from Bryan.

Brenna fell off a chair while playing in home center and split open the skin just above her eye. When they couldn't reach me, they called Bryan, and he had to leave an installation job downtown to pick her up. Someone also called my mom, who headed our direction. By the time I called in, Bryan had taken her to our pediatrician. Have I ever said how much we love and adore our pediatrician!? Thankfully, she didn't need stitches even though the cut was very deep. The doctor applied some kind of wound glue and put on a piece of tape. While she was there, she checked over shot records and gave Brenna her Hep booster.

Poor baby - a bloody gash, no stitches, but a shot! Not one tear.

She's a little proud that she and Daddy will share a scar. Bryan gashed the opposite eye, same place below the eyebrow, when he was about 7. He had stitches of course, and has a nice little tuff-looking scar.

Did I happen to mention today was Class Picture Day? With Higgins Photography. And real live bunny rabbits? Brenna wore a pink Easter dress, which I'm told had blood all over it, but the preschool washed it out. I'm also told that she took her pictures, both class and individual, while waiting for Daddy to show up. They just turned her head.... just so... I guess these will be pictures to remember. She hasn't really talked about the bunny rabbit though.

LibraryThing

So several people have noticed the LibraryThing widget on the sidebar of our blog. I had seen it before on Libby's Notesgirl blog, but never thought much about it. Then it was introduced to my one of our reference librarians. She had become very excited about all the possibilities and her enthusiasm is infectious. The day after she gave a little half-hour presentation to the librarians (and archivist), I signed up.

What's really neat about it, from my standpoint, is I'm finally able to see what kind of books I've kept and collected over the years. Since we moved to this house, I've probably weeded out over 200 books and given them to Half-Price Books. In fact, I gave them ALL of my hardcover 1990s era Star Wars fiction, and many of the mass markets about a week before I discovered LibraryThing. But now I will have a complete listing of all my books for insurance purposes, which is always a good thing in hurricane territory. Of course, it leads to Bryan being able to tell me that I have too many books, and he has the numbers to back it up.

Registration on LibraryThing is free, and allows you to enter up to 250 books, or you can pay $25 for a lifetime membership and input an unlimited number. You simply input the ISBN from the back or inside publisher info page of the book and select the cataloging information. You can select the cover, or scan the cover and upload the .jpg if they don't have your cover. You can tell how many people using LibraryThing also have a copy of your book. You can review books or talk with others about books.

When you put your books into LibraryThing you can "tag" them. That is, assign them a label that can be used later for sorting. For example, my most common tags are "children" meaning one of my childhood books, "history" because that's what a I collect and read the most, and "Texas" reflecting that aspect of history. By tagging the books I can easily sort all my signed copies (as long as I tag it "signed", or books which list me in the acknowledgements "assist", and I've been surprised to discover I have more "biography" books than I previously suspected. And Bryan has a great many "baseball" and "firefighting" books. I've also started putting in a few tagged "read but do not own" to keep track of books that made an impact on me. I try hard not to buy new books, but read them in the library. There are a few select novels that I might purchase one day, and The Lost German Slave Girl is currrently at the top of my list.

It's addictive. Once I started I mentioned this to Mom, who immediately began entering books, and she mentioned it to Lisa - who is doing the same. Lisa took it one step further and created a free account for her children, to be able to track their books. Naturally, I've done the same for my Kelly girls. (Don't go looking, I haven't entered any books there yet.) I'm up to about 450 books, but have only input about half. I've finished one bookshelf in the family room, some loose books next to my bed, and one of two large bookcases in the formal living. I still have one bookcase, the bedroom bookcase, the guest room bookcase, and boxes in the garage to do. I'm guessing my final number will be just shy of 1000.